I’m finally back with a natural hair product review and I’m packing quite a few into one post. We’re quarantined and every business is trying to stay afloat and come for our little stimulus checks by enticing us with sales. This tactic has absolutely worked on me because what else do I have to do but shop online and experiment. So when EDEN BodyWorks had a $5 Cinco De Mayo sale I hopped on it. I ordered the Papaya Castor Scalp Cleanser, Almond Marshmallow Split End Repair Masque, Almond Marshmallow Therapy Leave-In Conditioner, the Coconut Shea Body Wash and Body Lotion, and also somehow ended up with the Papaya Castor Scalp Massaging Serum. I won’t be doing a review on the Body Wash and Lotion because I mainly bought them because the smell is heavenly but other than this sale I couldn’t justify paying so much for either.

Papaya Castor Scalp Cleanser

Product Description

Our gentlest cleanser ever! Use it daily or as needed to quickly remove dirt and product build-up — plus nourish and balance the scalp for healthier looking hair all year round.

Benefits:

• Gently exfoliates scalp
• Nourishes hair, leaving it softer and more manageable
• Balances scalp pH levels

My Take:

I’m gonna need the natural hair product creators to come to a consensus on the definitions of cleanser vs shampoo vs cowash. My understanding up until now has been that items labeled shampoos and cleansers will lather and breakdown more of the old products, dirt, oil, and general ickiness from your hair and scalp, while a cowash is meant as a gentle cleanse for when you don’t necessarily have a bunch of gunk in your hair and scalp but would like a gentle “refresh.” However, sometimes I get shampoos and cleansers that feels more like a cowash and this was one of them.

While this isn’t bad, it wasn’t what I was expecting considering the product description says “to quickly remove dirt and product build-up.” It delivered on the being gentle, but I don’t feel like it really got my hair and scalp as clean as I wanted. It works much more like a cowash, as it doesn’t lather at all. I lather, rinsed, and repeated 3 times just to make sure I didn’t just have a ridiculous amount of product build-up since sometimes that will prevent shampoo from lathering on the first try.

On the upside it left my hair extremely soft and easy to detangle. It was creamy and had a pleasant scent that wasn’t overpowering and didn’t linger. I think I will hold on to this for when we get into the fall and winter months and my hair and scalp are drier and need the gentleness or for when my hair is braided but needs a quick cleanse without worrying about leaving my natural hair brittle under extensions. This definitely won’t be my go to for summer wash days when my hair isn’t in a protective style though.

Almond Marshmallow Split End Repair Masque

Product Description

Dramatically improve the look and feel of your hair — plus prevent future damage. Wave buh-bye to breakage for good!

Benefits:

• Provides slip for detangling hair
• Reduces shedding
• Softens hair
• Helps lessen the appearance of breakage and split ends

My take:

This is that girl!! I’ve been struggling with split ends and breakage for a while and I feel like my hair has been the same length for ages (don’t remind me that I keep getting scissor happy because I can’t afford a reall stylist at the moment lol.) It is THIQUE but applies like warm butter. Often I struggle with getting the thick hair masques to evenly coat my hair with out having to use half the jar, but this went on and spread with ease. The scent was also pleasant but not overpowering.

I opted to try it without heat for my first use and just sat with it under a plastic shower cap for 40 minutes as the directions instructed. When I washed it out I was in shock. I usually get a ton of shedding and breakage during the rinsing parts of wash day, mainly because I keep my hair tucked away and don’t really mess with it so all of the hair that is shed during the normal hair phases plus actual breakage are left all in the sink. This time, I didn’t have even 1/3 of the hair I usually see left behind.

After drying my hair in a t-shirt It was soft and very easy to detangle and I then moved onto the next step.

Almond Marshmallow Therapy Leave In Conditioner

Description

Rehab brittle hair with this protein-rich leave-in that provides softness and slip. Notice instant improvement with long-term benefits.

Benefits:

• Aids in detangling thinner hair textures.
• Softens and refreshes second-day styles.
• Helps lessen the appearance of breakage and split ends.

My take:

I only found one negative with this and it wasn’t the product itself, it was the bottles pump. It was hard to consistently spritz the product onto my hair because the pump kept…not quite jamming but more so needed longer to reset itself if that makes sense.

While I didn’t really see much of an added benefit to using it since the hair mask had already left my hair soft and easy to comb through. I don’t think it hurt add a little extra of the strengthening ingredients before I put my hair in twists. I think people with a looser curl pattern or thinner hair would benefit more from this product than I did. I would like to try it when my hair is braided and starts to feel dry or after I wash my braids after swimming though. This seems like it might be a better way to use this leave in than using it after a regular wash day for me.

Papaya Castor Scalp Massaging Serum

Description

Our award-winning best defense against a dry, irritated scalp! Made with a soothing blend of Vitamins A, C, D & E, it works like magic to hydrate and nourish while also promoting healthy hair growth.

Benefits:

• Cools and calms the scalp
• Hydrates with regular use
• Promotes healthy hair growth in between styles

My take:

Considering I got this from what I can only assume is an accident, I can’t be too disappointed about expectations. I did find that it provided the cooling and calming effect that the website stated in the benefits section. But I still ended up with light dandruff as per the usual status of my scalp. Nothing to write home about, but not a terrible product. Maybe I just need someone to actually give me a scalp massage to get the full experience.

Final Thoughts

Out of everything I was most impressed with the Almond Marshmallow Split End Repair Masque. It is the one item from this haul that I can actually see myself reordering and using regularly.